Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

Re: expundge a conviction

I'm afraid you can't do this. Barring something exceptional like a full pardon, a murder conviction is a permanent part of your record.

The only convictions which can be expunged are misdemeanors and those felonies for which the defendant was not sentenced to state prison. Second degree murder is a felony and I presume you served prison time. Judges in 1977 had more discretion in sentencing than they have today, but it is hard to imagine a judge not imposing at least some prison time for this type of conviction.

Convictions for certain felonies can later be reduced to misdemeanors and can then be expunged, but second degree murder is not one of them.